Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Free Preschool Thanksgiving Craft
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Thanksgiving is a special time to foster gratitude and appreciation, particularly in young learners. 'The Thankful Tree' is a free preschool Thanksgiving craft designed to engage preschoolers in a meaningful way, helping them...
Pre-K & Kindergarten Switching Tracks Goal Poster: Switching Tracks
Download 20+ Self-Regulation Activities for PK-12 No-prep tools to teach students how to stay calm, make thoughtful choices, and build emotional awareness. Download activities Smooth transitions are a foundational part of a successful classroom environment, especially...
Free Elementary Thanksgiving Craft
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Thanksgiving isn't just about feasts and parades; it's a time for reflection and gratitude. Special educators can bring this spirit into their classrooms with a fun and meaningful craft activity from Everyday Speech. Check out this...
Elementary School Perspective Taking Goal Poster: Understanding Others’ Point of View
Fostering perspective taking is a cornerstone of healthy peer interactions, classroom harmony, and long-term interpersonal growth in elementary-aged students. With early learners, foundational skills such as seeing situations from another person’s point of view are...
Preschool Feelings Detective Activity
Download Activity and Lesson Plan As early childhood and preschool educators, one of the most challenging aspects of the job is helping students navigate big feelings. Despite the challenge, one of the greatest gifts we can give our students is the beginning...
Free Interactive Job Interview Practice for High School Students
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Navigating the job market can be daunting for high school students, particularly those in special education programs. As educators, it's our role to demystify the process and prepare our students for success. This comprehensive guide...
Teaching Empathy in Middle School: Free Lesson Plan & Scenario Cards
Empathy is a key skill that helps middle school students navigate social interactions, build strong relationships, and foster a supportive school environment. In this blog post, we will delve into a lesson plan designed to teach middle school students the power of...
Elementary School Staying Calm Activity: Emotion and Solution Choice Bar
Download 20+ Self-Regulation Activities for PK-12 No-prep tools to teach students how to stay calm, make thoughtful choices, and build emotional awareness. Download activities The elementary school years are a pivotal time for developing foundational skills that allow...
Free Elementary Halloween Social Skills Craft
Download Activity and Lesson Plan The thrill of Halloween extends beyond costumes and candy. It offers a unique opportunity for students to engage in rich conversations. Special educators can tap into this festive enthusiasm, guiding elementary students on how to...
No-Prep Activities
Two Sides: Exploring Direct and Indirect Language in Special Education
As educators, we constantly strive to help our students develop effective communication skills. In this blog post, we will explore a valuable concept for students in Special Education: understanding the difference between direct and indirect language. By engaging in a...
Teaching Middle School Students the Art of Being a Social Chameleon
Introduction Being a Social Chameleon means adapting to various situations and connecting with others by tuning in to their feelings and the environment. This skill is crucial for middle school students to navigate their social lives, develop empathy, and create...
Teaching Problem-Solving Skills to Middle School Students
Incorporating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into the classroom is essential for educators to help students navigate life's challenges. One critical aspect of SEL is teaching problem-solving skills. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity to teach...
Embracing Change with an Open Mind in Special Education
Introduction Change is an inevitable part of life, especially in school settings. Students in Special Education often face schedule changes, teacher switches, and varying activities. It is essential for educators to help these students develop an Open Mind to adapt to...
Using Topic Radar to Engage Middle School Students in Inclusive Conversations
Introduction In this blog post, we will explore the concept of Topic Radar, a tool that helps students think about what others like to talk about and engage in more inclusive conversations. By using Topic Radar, students can develop empathy and social skills while...
Adapting to Different Situations: Becoming a Social Chameleon
Introduction As educators, we know that students encounter various social situations throughout their day. Each of these environments has a set of expectations, or "rules," that guide acceptable behavior. One way to help students navigate these different settings is...
The Importance of Listening: Building Connections with PreK Students
Introduction Listening is a crucial skill that helps children build connections with others and foster a positive learning environment. By actively listening, children can show that they care about the feelings of others and are genuinely interested in what they have...
Teaching Problem-Solving Skills to Special Education Students
Introduction Problems are an inevitable part of life, and they can arise both at home and at school. Sometimes, problems occur because we don't consider the consequences of our actions on others. Other times, problems happen by accident and are beyond our control....
Teaching Kindergarten Students to Adapt Behavior Like a Social Chameleon
Introduction As educators, we understand the importance of teaching our students to adapt their behavior to different situations and environments. Kindergarten students are just beginning to explore the world around them and need guidance in understanding the...
Teaching High School Students to Be Social Chameleons: Adapt and Blend In
Introduction Being a Social Chameleon means being able to adapt to any situation, no matter what's going on around you. This important skill helps students navigate various social settings throughout their day. In this blog post, we'll discuss how to teach high school...
Tips for Educators: Encouraging Balanced Conversations in High School Students
Introduction Engaging in meaningful conversations is an essential life skill for high school students. As educators, it is important to teach them how to participate in balanced conversations that consider the interests and feelings of others. This blog post will...
Teaching Compromise and Emotional Control to Kindergarten Students
Introduction Learning to compromise and control emotions is an essential skill for children in their early years. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy-to-implement, no-prep activity that educators can use to teach Kindergarten students the importance of...
Helping Kindergarten Students Regain Control of Their Feelings with Self-Controller Scanners
Introduction Teaching young children to manage their emotions is crucial for their social-emotional development. One effective approach is using a Self-Controller Scanner to help students recognize their feelings and select appropriate strategies to regain control....
Teaching Conversation Skills with the Fork in the Road Game
Introduction Welcome to the world of Social-Emotional Learning, where we aim to develop students' abilities to manage their emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. In this blog post, we will introduce you to the Fork in the Road game, a...
Teaching Conversation Share Skills to Special Education Students
Introduction Sharing is a fundamental aspect of social interactions. In everyday life, we share various things like games, friends, and even conversations. Teaching students, especially those in special education, the importance of the Conversation Share is crucial...